Providence: On March 28, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) issued a press release stating that a water sample taken from a residential well on Wapping Road in Middletown, RI was found to have nitrate levels above the National Primary Drinking Water Standards. Since then, HEALTH has received additional sample results from residential wells in the area that also show elevated levels of nitrate.
As a result, HEALTH advises home owners with private wells in the following neighborhood in Middletown to have their water tested now by a certified laboratory to assure its safety:
Baldwin Road Bartlett Road Little Creek Lane Peckham Lane Pippin Road Porter Road Riverview Avenue Russett Avenue Sakonnet Terrace Wapping Road
Nitrate levels change seasonally, and can be related to septic systems, animal waste, lawn and agricultural fertilizer use, and runoff. Therefore, HEALTH reminds all Rhode Islanders with private wells to get them tested at least once a year.
The health risks for high nitrate concentrations are principally for infants under the age of 6 months. Water with high nitrate should not be given to infants under the age of 6 months or used to make infant formula.
Below is the list of certified Water Testing Labs in Rhode Island:
RI State Health Laboratories, Providence: 222-5600 BAL and ESS Labs, Cranston: 785-0241 New England Testing Lab, Inc., North Providence: 353-3420 Northeast Environmental Testing Lab, Providence: 454-3400 RI Analytical Labs, Warwick: 737-8500
For more information visit www.riwelltesting.org or call HEALTH's Office of Drinking Water Quality at 222-6867.